ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Science & Technology
Technology can be an enabler for India to position itself as a global leader and build better international collaborations: Prof. K VijayRaghavan, PSA
Prof. K Vijay Raghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser to Government of India, highlighted the challenge of being AtmaNirbhar in a world where one also has to be interactive internationally and how technology can be an enabler for India to position itself as a global leader and build better international collaborations at the ‘Fireside Chat’ organised on the occasion of the 9th Foundation Day of Global Innovation and Technology Alliance .
“AtmaNirbharta need to be viewed in the context of supply chains internationally and globally. There are three pillars which need to be kept in mind while addressing the framework of self-reliance which are policy, regulation, examples of execution and this needs to be done with speed and a synergy,” Professor VijayRaghavan said at the celebration event that was held virtually on November 26, 2020.
“Science & Technology is critically important for everything we do but Science & Technology is also not an answer by itself. It is part of the answer. Science & Technology should be kept in perspective as a component along with politics, economics, sociology and so on and all of this needs to work together in addition to policy, regulation, and examples of execution.”
He stressed that the COVID 19 pandemic has stimulated extraordinary collaboration between our research laboratories, R & D labs, and industry and between industry and society. This feature needs to be embedded as we move along into the future.
Prof. K VijayRaghavan answered questions on the distribution & administration of the vaccine for COVID 19 and its emergency use.In partnership with the health ministry, an expert group has done an enormous amount of work in the health system preparedness for the distribution and administration of vaccines. This is being done without compromising existing health care services utilising the experience of our National Elections, our Universal Immunisation Programme in a big way in the vaccination programme.”
The day-long celebrations of the GITA Foundation Day celebrations included a panel discussion on ‘Global Perspectives: Countries becoming ‘Self- Reliant’ in a collaborative world’ which saw the attendance of representatives from countries like Taiwan, Republic of Korea, Canada, Sweden, Finland and Italy wherein the speakers iterated the need of coming out of silos, working together in collaboration, leveraging on innovation, opening innovation engagements internationally, enforcement of certain local capacities and on the other hand remaining open to FDI, technology transfers and technology engagements.
Ministry of Railways
1ST RAILWAY TO ACHIEVE 100 MT LOADING IN 2023-24 FISCAL
ECoR LOADED 3.77 MT MORE THAN LAST YEAR REGISTERING A GROWTH OF 3.9%
During the first five months of the current financial year, i.e. from 1st April to 31st August, 2023, East Coast Railway has loaded 100.90MT of freight as against 97.13MT carried in the corresponding period of last fiscal. With this, it has loaded 3.77MT incremental cargo during the current financial year by registering an increase of 3.9%.
This could be possible due to outstanding performance of all the three Divisions of East Coast Railway, i.e. Khurda Road, Waltair and Sambalpur. During the period, ECoR has loaded 61.30MT of Coal, 3.33MT of Raw material for Steel Plants, 8.21 MT of Iron & Steel, 11.68MT of Iron Ore, 0.76MT of Cement, 1.29MT of Food Grains, 2.57MT of Fertilizer, 1.24MT of POL, 1.76MT of freight loaded in Containers and 8.76MT of other cargo.
Major contributors of freight include Talcher, Paradeep, Dhamara, Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Keonjhar, KK Line, Steel Plants, Aluminium plants and from other places of ECoR jurisdiction.
During the period, 63.59MT of freight carried from Khurda Road Division, 29.75MT of freight from Waltair Division and 7.54MT of freight carried from Sambalpur Division.
In August 2023 only, East Coast Railway has carried 20.43MT of freight as against 19.90MT carried in same time of 2022 by registering an increase of 2.7% more freight.
RoM
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Ministry of Defence
Opening Ceremony Exercise Yudh Abhyas - 2019
Exercise Yudh Abhyas - 2019, a joint military exercise between Indian and US armies, commenced this morning at Joint Base Lewis MC Chord, Washington, USA with a brief yet impressive opening ceremony that saw the unfurling of the national flags of both countries to the strains of The Star Spangled Banner and Jana Gana Mana. US and Indian soldiers stood side by side, and gave a ceremonial salute to the two senior most officers of the US and Indian side reviewing the ceremony.
The US contingent was represented by a company of 5-20 Infantry Battalion of the US Army while the Indian side was representing The Assam Regiment. Major General Xavier Brunsen, US Army welcomed the Indian soldiers, and in his inaugural remarks highlighted the common shared beliefs of democracy, freedom, equality and justice that are precious to both nations.
Both sides will jointly train, plan and execute a series of well-developed tactical drills for neutralization of likely threats that may be encountered in UN peace keeping operations. Experts from both sides will also hold detailed discussions to share their experience on varied topics for mutual benefit.
Col Aman Anand
PRO 
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Ministry of Defence
ARMY CHIEF PRESENTS PRESIDENT’S STANDARDS TO 49 ARMOURED REGIMENT, 51 ARMOURED REGIMENT, 53 ARMOURED REGIMENT AND 54 ARMOURED REGIMENT
General Manoj Pande, the Chief of Army Staff presented the prestigious ‘President’s Standards’ or ‘Nishan’ to four Armoured Regiments of the Indian Army, namely 49 Armoured Regiment, 51 Armoured Regiment, 53 Armoured Regiment and 54 Armoured Regiment during an impressive Standards Presentation Parade held at Suratgarh Military Station in Rajasthan on 25 March 2023. A large number of dignitaries and military veterans graced the occasion. The event witnessed an immaculate mounted parade by the four Armoured Regiments along with tanks in all grandeur.
The Armoured Corps is one of the premier combat arms of the Indian Army. Since Independence, the valour, courage and fortitude shown by the Armoured Regiments during the wars have been exceptional.
The Chief of the Army Staff reviewed the Standard presentation parade and appreciated the rich legacy of valour, sacrifice and traditions displayed by the Armoured Corps in war and in peace. The Army Chief in his address commended the Regiments who received the prestigious President’s Standards, for their exemplary service and conveyed his best wishes to the ranks and families. He also brought out that the modern and professional Indian Mechanised Forces are always ready to meet the future challenges and stand committed to guard the nation against all threats.
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SC/RSR/VKT
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Ministry of Culture
Several creative events for art lovers soon at NGMA this year
NGMA opens up its lawns and gallery spaces for public viewing free of cost for two hours every Saturday and Sunday starting from tomorrow
NGMA is enlivening people’s museum experience by opening up its lawns and gallery spaces to the public every Saturday and Sunday starting from tomorrow. This will be open free of cost for public viewing during 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM on every weekend. NGMA will showcase range of activities including specially curated shows, art and photography sessions, film screenings, poetry, music, dance, and theatre performances, workshops and an afternoon with well- known artists, poets, and authors. The guest of honortomorrow i.e.2January will be the iconic artist, Shri Jatin Das who will also inaugurate the Sketching Club.
The year 2021 is expected to be a special year in NGMA’s history. Curatorial activities are in full swing for the exhibitions that will be launched early this year. On the cards is a Nandalal Bose retrospective, the showcasing of the exceptional Air India Collection and the treasures of modern Indian art, the retrospective of RamkinkarBaij and Amrita Shergil, and an exhibition of Tantra Art. The exhibitions will be held in Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai. Kolkata will also be the venue for a group show of about a hundred young artists. The Red Fort will be the site of a unique art residency that will see the co-creation of artistic expressions by traditional and contemporary artists. The Red Fort experiencewill be replicated in Srinagarwhere another immersive workshop and exhibition has been planned.
This is not all. Visual documentation of the living art legends, an Art Journal, creation of a vibrant online platform, an art cafe, a reimagining of all the physical spaces, creation of a world class museum shop, a state- of- the- art Sound and Light show are also in different stages of planning and Implementation.
Vice President's Secretariat
Statue of Unity is a befitting memorial to Sardar Patel
I am overwhelmed with emotion after visiting the statue
Youth must visit the statue to draw inspiration and know history
Visits the ‘Statue of Unity’
The Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu has said that the Statue of Unity is a befitting memorial to Sardar Patel, whose vision, courage and determination led to the integration of 565 princely States and paved the way for building a modern India.
Speaking after visiting the 182-metre tall statue at Kevadia in Gujarat on Sunday, the Vice President said "my heart is filled with emotions and pride. Now we have a great structure that symbolises the great legacy of Sardar Patel". Shri Naidu lauded Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for taking up the initiative to build the State of Unity and added that he had always felt that due recognition was not given to Sardar Patel in the past.
The visit gave him a feeling of ‘completeness’ and a sense of ‘unity of mind and soul’.
The splendid statue represents the vision and resolve of SardarVallabhbhai Patel towards achieving political integration of a ‘Unified India’. He said that the historic statue stands as a reminder of the struggles the Sardar had undergone in unifying India.
He said the 'Statue of Unity' would create greater awareness among the people on Sardar Patel's monumental contribution to nation-building. Given its significance, the amount spent on erecting the statue was a "priceless investment", he added.
Shri Naidu said that all Indians, particularly the youth should visit the statue o to draw inspiration and know the history. It was the responsibility of every citizen who owes allegiance to the Constitution of India to do everything to uphold the unity of our country, he added.
Talking about the humble beginnings of Patel who hailed from a farmer’s family, Shri Naidu said that Patel with his hallmark qualities such as determination, hardwork and resolve led several peasant movements against British, beginning with the farmers agitation during KhedaSatyagrah.
The Vice President said it was a matter of pride for all of us that a Farmer was the architect of unified modern India. He said that it was a great achievement that our country won the freedom from colonial rulers after a long and hard fought freedom struggle under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.
It is indeed a matter of pride for Gujarat that both the architect of India’s freedom and architect of a unified India hailed from this State, he said.
The Vice President said that the people of India would forever remain grateful to Sardar Patel for consolidating India with a steely resolve. For this one act of courage and determination Sardar Patel is rightly called the Iron Man of India, he added.
Prime Minister's Office
Tomorrow’s programme at Haripura will be a tribute to Netaji Bose’s contribution to our nation: PM
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has paid tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on the eve of his Jayanti tomorrow.
In a series of tweets, Shri Modi said “Tomorrow, India will mark #ParakramDivas, the Jayanti of the great Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Among the various programmes being organised across the nation, one special programme is being held at Haripura in Gujarat. Do join the programme, which begins at 1 PM.
Haripura has a special relation with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. It was at the historic Haripura Session of 1938 that Netaji Bose took up the Presidentship of the Congress Party. Tomorrow’s programme at Haripura will be a tribute to Netaji Bose’s contribution to our nation.
On the eve of Netaji Bose’s Jayanti, my mind goes back to 23rd January 2009- the day we launched e-Gram Vishwagram Project from Haripura. This initiative revolutionised Gujarat’s IT infrastructure and took the fruits of technology to the poor, in the remotest parts of the state.
I can never forget the affection of the people of Haripura, who took me through an elaborate procession on the same road as Netaji Bose was taken, in 1938. His procession included a decorated chariot drawn by 51 bullocks. I also visited the place where Netaji stayed in Haripura.
May the thoughts and ideals of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose keep inspiring us to work towards building an India that he would be proud of…a strong, confident and self-reliant India, whose human-centric approach contributes to a better planet in the years to come.”
Ministry of Tourism
1194 tourists assisted till 9th April through ‘Stranded in India’ portal
Ministry of Tourism is regularly talking to its stakeholders on tourism related issues amidst COVID-19
The StrandedinIndia portal of the Ministry of Tourism continues to provide support to the tourists. Till 9th April the number of tourists who have been assisted are 1194. In addition the regular toll free helpline 1363 which the MOT runs has had 779 calls from 22 March to 9 th April.
Beside this the Ministry officials are working round the clock with the tourism and hospitality industry to understand the immediate and long term issues that are coming up as an impact of COVID-19. It is a fact that because of lockdowns and with no travel possible, the industry is being badly hit. Therefore it is the time to evaluate, introspect and think about the way forward. The Director General of Ministry of Tourism, Smt Meenakshi Sharma in a webinar organised by the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India spoke of the country’s need to prioritise containing the spread of the pandemic. She said that the government is sensitive to the needs of the citizens on the marginal levels of existence and everything is being done to assist them in this grim period. The Association requested the Ministry to come out with guidelines on how to sanitize camps, how to run trekking lodges and such related issues. Mrs Sharma agreed with the need to come out with the guidelines. She also emphasised on the potential of domestic tourism and the impact that social media has in capturing the imagination of potential travellers as the way forward for the sector as we gradually come out of the impact of COVID-19.
Similar webinars are being organised by FICCI and other Tourism related bodies and at every platform the ideas are being actively discussed on the roadmap for promotion of Incredible India. The popularity of the webinars shows that industry and citizens are very positive and keen to work together to come out stronger out of the situation.
Ministry of Education
Precautions to be taken in the light of Novel Coronavirus 
UGC has been issuing advisories from time to time  for universities and their affiliated colleges regarding preventive measures to be undertaken in the wake of Novel Coronavirus .
Further, reference above, a communication dated 18th March, 2020 has been received from the Secretary, Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, that adequate precautionary measures are to be taken by the institutions to face the situation arising out of COVID-19. Therefore all the Universities are requested to take the following precautionary measures:
- All ongoing University examinations may be rescheduled after 31st March, 2020.
- All evaluation work may be rescheduled after 31st March, 2020.
- All Educational Institutions to maintain regular communication with the students and teachers through electronic means and keep them fully informed so that there is no anxiety amongst the students, teachers and parents.
- All Educational Institutions to notify helpline numbers/emails which students can access for their queries.
All Universities and Colleges are further requested to advice the students, parents, teachers and staff not to panic, and take preventive and precautionary measures to combat COVID-19.
Ministry of Defence
ICG to Open Its 5th Recruitment Centre in Uttarakhand
Indian Coast Guard  recruitment centre will be opened in Uttarakhand. It will be India’s fifth ICGrecruitment centre. Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat will lay the foundation of the land for this recruitment centre on June 28, 2019. This recruitment centre will be established at Kuanwala, Dehradun. Director General Coast Guard Shri Rajendra Singh handed over the permission letter of Government of India in respect of openinga recruitment centre to the CM on June 22, 2019.
Government has sanctioned Rs 17 crore for the purchase of the land and Rs 25 crore for the construction of building for the centre. It will be the 5th ICGrecruitment centre in Uttarakhand after Noida, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. The recruitment centre will be useful for the youths of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana along with the youthof the Uttarakhand and will be ready in about eighteen months.
Nampi/DK/HS
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Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
NFAI enriches its collection by adding 8 rare Hindi films of 1940’s and 1950’s
: Mumbai, November 27,2021
In a major acquisition of the golden era of Hindi Cinema, National Film Archive of India  has added 31 feature films to its collection. The highlight of these films is a collection of 6 films starring veteran comedy actor Master Bhagwan. Starting from 1948 film Lalach and 1949 film Bachke Rehana in which Master Bhagwan acted and directed both these films, the list includes Sinbad the Sailor  , Wazir-E-Azam  , Raat ke Andhere Mein  and Gunda .
“It seems to be a real find because at least eight films from this acquisition are very rare and new to NFAI collection. Two of these black and white films, Lalach  and Bachke Rehana , were directed by Master Bhawan and had a similar star cast including Baburao Pehelwan, Master Bhagwan and Leela Gupte. Both these films had music by C Ramchandra”, said Prakash Magdum, Director NFAI. All these films are black and white films in 16 mm format. “It is indeed a treasure of collection due to the fact that celluloid films from 1940’s and 1950’s have now been found and acquired. The primary inspection of these 8 films suggest they are in good condition”, said Shri Magdum.
An interesting film in the collection is Miss Punjab Mail  directed by Nanubhai Vakil starring Nishi and Daljeet. Incidentally, the script of the film was written by Kaifi Azmi, one of his early scripts. A fantasy film based on the tales of Arabian Nights, Sinbad the Sailor  was directed by Nanabhai Bhatt and featured popular South Indian star Ranjan in the titular role accompanied by Naseem, Nirupa Roy, Master Bhagwan, Jayant and Pran. The film, a Homi Wadia and Nanabhai Bhatt production, had brilliant special effects by Babubhai Mistry.
Tarzan Aur Hercules  is yet another rare film in the collection which was directed by veteran comedy actor Mehmood. The film had a star cast of Habib, Hercules and Shakila Bano Bhopali among others. Professor And Jadugar directed by Sultan is a fantasy drama made in 1967 starring Indira  and Indrajeet along with Dalpat, Jilani, Minoo Mumtaz, Shammi. Babubhai Mistry directed Daku Mansingh  starring Shaikh Mukhtar, Dara Singh, Hercules and Shakila Bano Bhopali is another black and white film from the collection. It is a story of how a kind and honest man is turned into a dacoit due to circumstances.
Veteran singer Manna Dey had composed music for few films in his carreer and Naag Champa  was one of his early such films. Starring Nirupa Roy, Manhar Desai and Lalita Pawar, this mythological black and white film was produced and directed by Vinod Desai.
The other films in the collection includes Dillagi  starring Suraiya; Jadoo  starring Nalini Jaywant; Rahi  starring Dev Anand and Nalini Jaywant which was the directed KA Abbas; Dil E Nadaan  starring Shyama and Talat Mehmood; Chacha Choudhary  starring Raja Paranjape and Shashikala and Naga Mohini  directed by Shantilal Soni starring Mahipal and Vijaya Choudhary.
Special Service and Features
Seizure of Foreign Currency equivalent to INR 34.23 lakhs and Gold ingots weighing 3.35 KGs of 24K purity valued at Rs. 1.55 Crores- 4 Passengers arrested
On 03.07.2022, based on specific information, a passenger by name Shri Mageshwaran Venkatesan, S/o Venkatesan, resident of Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, bound for Sharjah by Air Arabia Flight G9 472 dated 03.07.2022 from Chennai to Sharjah at 04:20, was intercepted by Customs officers and his baggage/ person was examined thoroughly. During examination of his checked in baggage, 339 nos of foreign currency notes in 500 denominations of Saudi Riyal, equivalent to Rs. 34.23 lakhs were found ingeniously concealed in envelopes kept in new shirt covers. The foreign currency was seized under the Customs Act, 1962.
On 04.07.2022, based on specific information, a passenger by name Shri Abdul Aziz Abdul Majeed, S/o Shri Abdul Majeed, resident of Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, arrived at Chennai by Indigo Flight 6E908 dated 04.07.2022 from Mumbai at 1054 hrs, was intercepted by Customs officers and his baggage/ person was examined thoroughly. During examination of his hand baggage, 3 nos of bundles containing foreign origin gold in compound form were found ingeniously concealed inside the inner pocket of the hand bag, which yielded a gold ingot of 24K purity weighing 855 grams valued at Rs. 39 lakhs. The same was seized under the Customs Act, 1962.
On 05.07.2022, based on specific information, two passenger Shri Mohammed Safik Meeran Mohideen S/o Shri Meeran Mohideen, resident of Tondiarpet, Chennai & Shri Mirsath Ali Sikkandar S/o Shri Sikkandar resident of Ramanathapuram, Chennai arrived at Chennai from Bangkok by Air Asia Flight FD 153 Dated 05.07.2022, were intercepted by Customs officers and their baggage/ person was examined thoroughly. During examination of their person bundles containing Gold in paste form were found to be concealed in their rectum which yielded two Gold ingots totally weighing 2.5KGs of 24K purity valued at Rs.1.16 Cr. The same was recovered and seized under the Customs Act, 1962.
All the four passengers were arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
Further investigation is under progress, according to the press release issued by Additional Commissioner of Customs, Chennai International Airport.